Megan Taylor, 22, hopped on the bus along with her guide dog, Rowley, expecting a pleasant trip from point A, to point B.
What she did not expect was a fellow passenger verbally assaulting her in public because her lab was black and not yellow.
Hailing from St. Helens, Mereyside, Megan shared how the unnamed woman approached her.
“Why is there a f*****g dog on the bus? Get it off.”
Megan tried to “politely” explain how Rowley was an assistant dog but allegedly says how the woman called her a “liar,” because “guide dogs are yellow Labradors and your dog is black,” according to the Liverpool Echo.
Megan shared:
“I tried to explain to her that guide and assistance dogs can been any color and don’t have to be Labradors, although Rowley is. She told me I was wrong.”
“I decided at this point there was nothing I could say to educate this woman and that it wasn’t worth my time. I instead chose to ignore her while she continued to talk nonsense.”
Ever since a serious head injury at the age of 15, Megan has suffered from ‘episodic blindness,’ which has been a huge part of her life.
The injury has also resulted in a slew of other medical problems, which include hear loss, impaired balance as well as common fainting attacks and vertigo.
She continued:
“I suffered multiple fractures to my skull in the incident which left me with multiple disabilities. I can temporarily lose my sight without warning at any time, which is truly terrifying.”
“Even when I can see I become so dizzy and disoriented when walking that I bump into obstacles and trip over things.”
The lab is Megan’s second assistant dog — after Ruby, her first dog who retired after an attack.
Rowley helps with many of Megan’s tasks like emptying the dishwasher as well as helping her get undressed and untie her shoes.
The dog is able to call for help when she loses consciousness.
Megan says that dogs have enabled her to be independent as well as confident and safe.
“People should know assistance dogs come in many shapes and sizes and are trained to support people with a range of disabilities.”
“Just like a wheelchair, walking stick, or pair of glasses, they are important and vital auxiliary aids and as such are legally permitted to accompany their disabled owner in all public places.”
But sadly, this is not the first incident where Megan has experienced like this on public transportation, and has noted how she is always “anxious,” on the bus.
Megan shared with the Liverpool Echo:
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a stress-free trip on public transport, that’s why I’m so nervous when using it now.”
“On other occasions I have been spat at, stepped over, pushed out of the way and accused of being ‘another drunk youth’ when losing consciousness due to my heart condition and neurological disorder.”
“I try to stay positive and not let incidents such as what happened get me down because I am not ashamed of my disability. Despite having so many negative experiences, I know that these people are the minority. Most people are good and kind.”
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